From following these threads, the only issue I can see that might arise with vartype() is that a variable might sneak in that is blank - apart from that, the values are guaranteed to be either C or N since I select the scope - so if I understand correctly adding a provision to deal with 'X' would cover all my bases. Correct?
k

>Added for speed was vartype(), which sometimes barfs where slower Type() works. returning wrong resulst I have not witnessed, it had the "X" for .null. as difference
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>>Beware, do not use TYPE(). It was added for speed but makes little difference and is known for returning the wrong result at times. I have seen this myself.